• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The DIY Video Editor

All things video for the enthusiastic amateur...

Back to Basics: The Rule of Thirds in Filmmaking

Most people have heard of the rule of thirds in regards to capturing a picture or shooting a film.

This is an important concept that one should not forget when filming a scene.

The idea is that we lead the viewer to look at the subject. Sometimes a movie will use the rule of thirds with three columns and no rows.

This works astonishingly well and can be combined with scenes that use a square two by two grid as well.

Most of the time movies will have the actors eyes in the classic position in a three by three grid.

It’s good to have this grid directly on the camera so you don’t have to do this in post processing.

Key Takeaways:

  • The rule of thirds in filming involves placing subjects in an aesthetically pleasing alignment.
  • Using lines on a 3×3 grid subjects fall into the space where the viewer’s eyes would naturally go, making it seem natural.
  • An important thing to remember is that objects need room around them to enable them to be seen more clearly.

“Another Rule of Thirds tactic is the concept of leading. This is when you place your subject on the opposite side of the frame from the object of his or her attention.

This technique is psychological in nature because when your eyes look at incomplete information (such as an actor looking off-screen), they want to fill it to make it complete.”

Read more: https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/rule-of-thirds-filmmaking/

  • The Rules of Video Composition
  • The Friday Roundup – Lifting Your Selfie Game and the Secret to Stress Free Editing
  • The Friday Roundup – Slow Motion, Lower Thirds and Car Scenes
  • The Friday Roundup – Breaking the Rules and New Releases from Sony
  • The Friday Roundup – Shooting Tips, Editing Tips and a Little Color

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

General Tips

  • Maintenance Tips for A Video Editing Computer
  • Debugging Video Editing Software Problems
  • Video Editing Computer Security
  • Some Useful Free Tools for Video Editing
  • A Complete Guide to Codecs
  • Shooting Video: Dedicated Camera vs. Mobile Device
  • Video Tripods Explained: A Simple Guide for New Video Creators
  • A Guide to Choosing Lights for Video
  • Focal Length Explained: Why It Matters
  • A Guide to Video Upscaling
  • Problems Editing Modern Video Files
  • All About Frame Rates for Shooting and Editing Video
  • Common Video Editing Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
  • Shooting and Editing “Talking Head” or Interview Videos
  • Tips for Recording Yourself on Video
  • Why is Video Editing So Computer Resource Intensive?
  • Adjusting White Balance in Video Production
  • Types of Transitions in Video
  • What Is a LUT – A Guide for Beginners
  • Understanding the Difference Between A-Roll and B-Roll

Main Categories

  • Home Page
  • DIY Video Editor Blog
  • Choosing a Video Camera
  • Video Shooting Tips
  • How to Choose Video Editing Software
  • Video Editing Tips
  • Getting Your Videos Online
  • Video Editing Software Reviews
  • Audio Tips for Video
  • CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc Repair and Data Recovery
  • Video Related Tips and Articles

Software Reviews

  • The Best Video Editing Software
  • Easy to Use Editing Software
  • CyberLink PowerDirector 2026 / 365
  • Filmora 15
  • Movavi Video Editor
  • Magix Video Deluxe
  • CapCut Video Editor
  • Nero AI Video Upscaler Review
  • Aiarty Video Enhancer Review
  • HitPaw VikPea Video Upscaler
  • Corel VideoStudio 2023
  • Pinnacle Studio 26
  • Adobe Premiere Elements
  • CyberLink Director Suite 365
  • Magix Video Pro X
  • ScreenFlow for Mac
  • Multimedia Software

Footer

  • Disclosure
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • About
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. At no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through our affiliate link(s). Copyright © 2026 The DIY Video Editor